| abstract |
The present invention relates to a novel grape extract, and processes for making such, that is useful for, inter alia, treating pre-hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and/or the conditions that comprise Metabolic Syndrome. The processes of the present invention produce a highly concentrated polyphenol product by maximizing extraction of monomeric and oligomeric procyanidins and minimizing extraction of polymeric procyanidins. The grape extract of the present invention comprises between about 5-15% monomers, about 5-20% dinners, about 3- 10% trimers, about 2-10% tetramers, and about 2-10% pentamers by weight. The grape extract of the present invention can be formulated into dietary supplements, including capsules, tablets, powders, solutions, gels, suspensions, creams, gels, and the like. These dietary supplements in, for instance, powder or solution form, may be added to nutraceuticals, foods and/or beverages to form functional nutraceutical, food, and/or beverage products. |